Exploring Canada’s Rockies in Autumn 🍁

In the autumn of 2023, after exploring Toronto, reconnecting with family and friends, and marveling at the iconic Niagara Falls, we flew to Calgary. The flight from Toronto took about 4.5 hours. Upon arrival, we rented a car from Calgary Airport and began our scenic drive to Lake Louise, which is around two hours away.

We were filled with excitement as we anticipated experiencing Canada’s famous national parks. We chose to stay at the Lake Louise Inn, a charming hotel located in the picturesque village of Lake Louise. This spot is perfectly situated as a hub for exploring nearby national parks such as Banff, Yoho, Glacier, and Kootenay. Entry to these parks requires a park pass, which we had purchased in advance and displayed on the car dashboard—a necessity for passing checkpoints.

The Drive from Calgary to Lake Louise

Leaving Calgary, the expansive prairies slowly transitioned into the towering Rocky Mountains. Along the way, charming mountain towns like Canmore and Banff made for tempting stops, but we pushed on to reach our hotel before nightfall.

The Lake Louise Inn proved to be a delightful choice. Its on-site restaurant exceeded our expectations, offering a variety of vegetarian dishes—not just the typical salads but hearty, warm meals. To our pleasant surprise, they even had Indian dishes, making our stay even more enjoyable, knowing we had satisfying meals waiting for us each evening.

The reception & restaurant building

The hotel has multiple buildings

Highlights of the Trip

The natural beauty of Canada’s Rockies is unparalleled, and we explored several breathtaking spots during our trip:

1. Banff Town
   

   
   
   
   The next morning, we headed to Banff. The journey itself was captivating, with the golden hues of aspens and fiery reds of maples contrasting beautifully against the rugged Rocky Mountains. On our way to Banff, we took a break at a picturesque viewpoint overlooking the Vermilion Lakes wetlands, where vibrant autumn colors beautifully painted the landscape in every direction.
   
   
   
   
   

   Banff is a quaint town with a lively city center. Many shops prominently displayed signs advertising bear spray for sale—a reminder of the region’s wildlife. Since we weren’t planning any deep forest hikes, we opted not to buy it.
   
   

   
   
   

   We couldn’t resist trying ice cream at Cows, a local shop with rave reviews. It certainly lived up to the hype. Later, we strolled along a scenic path by the Bow River to reach the Bow Falls Viewpoint.
   
   

   
   
   

   

   Bridge over Bow river

   
   

   One of the highlights in Banff was the Banff Gondola ride, which took us to the summit of Sulphur Mountain. Though the walkway at the top was a bit slippery due to snow, the panoramic views were amazing.
   
   

   

   View from Sulphur mountain

2. Lake Minnewanka
   
   

   
   
   
   Lake Minnewanka is another must-visit gem. We enjoyed a one-hour boat cruise on its crystal-clear waters, complete with engaging commentary about the lake's history and natural surroundings.

3. Lake Louise and Lake Moraine
   
   

   

   View of Lake Louise from the Fairview Lookout

   
   

   We had pre-booked a shuttle service to visit Lake Louise and Lake Moraine. Private vehicles are not allowed to Lake Moraine. At Lake Louise, the view from the shore was mesmerizing. We then took a short hike to the Fairview Lookout, a 1.8 km trail frequented by other tourists. 
   
   

   

   Lake Moraine

   
   

   Lake Moraine, with its postcard-perfect scenery, lived up to its reputation as one of the most photographed locations in the Rockies. Its turquoise waters, framed by rugged peaks, are truly iconic.

4. Emerald Lake and Natural Bridge
   
   

   
   
   
   On our way to Emerald Lake, we stopped at a serene spot called the Natural Bridge, a unique rock formation created by the Kicking Horse River. It was less crowded than other attractions, and its calm ambiance made it a favorite moment of the trip.
   
   
   
   
   Emerald Lake, located in Yoho National Park is a stunning alpine lake renowned for its vibrant turquoise-green waters
   
   
   
   
   

   

   View from the shoreline

   
   

5. Columbia Icefield Adventure
   
   On our last day, we embarked on a 130+ km journey along the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefield Adventure. The landscape transformed from autumn’s vibrant greens and yellows to a winter wonderland of snow-covered peaks. 
   
   

   
   
   

   

   
   
   
   
   The tickets for this tour, like all other bookings for this trip, were pre-booked—a necessity, as most attractions fill up quickly. This two-hour tour included a thrilling ride in a massive bus to a glacier and a walk along the Skywalk, a glass platform overlooking a valley. The Skywalk was less impressive. 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

   It’s important to note that mobile signal is almost nonexistent along this highway. Large signs at the start of these stretches caution travelers to plan accordingly.

   On our return journey, we stopped at scenic viewpoints like Bow Lake and Waterfowl Lake, soaking in the beauty one last time.
   
   

   

   Waterfowl Lake Viewpoint

   
   

   
   

   

   Bow Lake Viewpoint

   
   

6. Final Stop: Canmore

   
   
   
   On our way back to Calgary, we stopped in Canmore, a picturesque town surrounded by stunning mountain views. It was the perfect ending to our trip.

Reflections

We didn’t encounter much wildlife during this trip, but we hope to explore Jasper National Park next time, as it’s known for its excellent wildlife-spotting opportunities. This trip left us with unforgettable memories of Canada’s Rockies, and we can’t wait to return.

P.S. Thanks to ChatGPT for correcting grammatical mistakes and making the sentences better. 😄